Page 31 of Learn the Play
I know she has reservations, and I need to tread lightly, but I also need to be bold enough to let her know that she’s who I want, and that if it’s time she needs, it’s time I’ll give her. Time for me to show her that I’m not the man she thinks I am, just because I play football for a living. Time for her to adjust her beliefs in what she’s always known, or what she’s always assumed, that she’s known. All I can do is keep trying. I’ll keep asking, keeping showing up, and one day, my dream girl will see that she’s everything I want, and more than that, she’s everything I need. One day, I’ll scale those walls around her heart and knock them down.
The guys and I always meet at the gym at noon, work out for a couple of hours, and get a run in on the treadmill. Today, I show up dressed in cargo shorts and a polo shirt, which has all four of them raising their brow.
“I’m not working out today.”
“Sounds good to me. Let’s go grab some lunch,” Landry says.
“No can do, bro. I have a lunch date with Bellamy.” I don’t have to look in a mirror to know I’m smiling like a damn lovesick fool.
“Fuck yeah!” Landry offers me his fist, and we bump knuckles.
“She finally gave you a shot?” Knox asks.
“Yeah—and I’m not going to screw it up. She knows what time we meet every day to work out. I think her picking this time was a test to see if I would tell her I couldn’t make it.”
“Ah.” Baker nods. “That makes sense.”
“So, do you want us to move the time? We can all come back later,” Foster offers.
“Nah, go ahead. I’ll just hit my home gym when we get back. I don’t know how long she has free to eat lunch, and no way am I rushing this.” Missing a workout with the guys isn’t the end of the world, but ending my lunch early with my dream girl just might be.
“Good plan.” Landry nods.
“Yeah, so I’m off.” I rock back on my heels as excitement courses through my veins. This is new for me. I’ve never been this excited to see someone.
“What time do you meet her?” Baker asks.
“Not until one, but I’m not going to be late and miss her. I’m not taking any chances.” I’ll be there, and I’ll be ready. Missing her isn’t an option, not when she finally took a leap of faith and offered me an olive branch.
“Let us know how it goes,” Knox says.
With a nod and a wave, I head back out to my truck. At twenty minutes after twelve, I pull up outside the small café. I’m forty minutes early, but that’s fine. Good things come to those who wait. Isn’t that what they say? Either way, I’m going in there to get us a table, and I’m going to wait for my girl.
After ordering a bottle of water, I find a table and scroll through my phone. Then an idea hits me. I take a picture of the chair across from me and text it to her.
Me: I saved you a seat.
Me: I’m not sure how much time you get for lunch. Would you like me to order you something? You can tell me what you want, and I’ll have it ready when you get here.
The three little bubbles bounce, and then her reply comes through.
My Dream Girl: You’re thirty minutes early.
Me: I know. No way in hell was I risking getting caught in traffic or any other disturbance that could have delayed me. I’m not missing this time with you, Bellamy.
The bubbles bounce again, then go away. This happens three times before the bubbles disappear altogether. I don’t know if I made her mad, but I don’t think so. I think she doesn’t know how to take me. I’m aware that I’m coming on strong, but I know what I want, and I’m already fighting a battle I didn’t start because of my chosen career. Besides, I’m not into drama and games. I’m always going to be open and honest with her, no matter how over the top it may make me sound.
Not only that, but after everything I know about her relationship with her dad, and the reason she hates the game of football, I need to be strong-willed to a certain extent. I’d never force her, and if she truly said to never contact her again, I’d respect her wishes, but that’s not what she’s telling me. She’s scared, and I know that if I’m too over the top, she’ll get even more scared, but I also know I can’t just walk away without showing her that I’m willing to put in the work. It’s a delicate balance, and I pray that I’m handling this right, because I know that if it comes down to it, and I do have to walk away from her, it will gut me.
My leg bounces as I keep my eyes glued to the door. My bottle of water sits untouched on the table in front of me, and her seat remains empty. Finally, at ten minutes till one, our scheduled time to meet, I see her. She pulls open the door and scans the small café. Immediately, I push back from the table, on my feet, and head toward her.
When I reach her, I bend, wrapping my arms around her in a hug. “Fuck me, I missed you,” I say, keeping my voice quiet, just for her.
I pull back, lace her fingers through mine, and lead her to the counter. She doesn’t try to pull away, which makes my smile widen.
“Hi, what can I get for you?” The young woman behind the counter bats her long, fake lashes at me.
“Babe?” I ask Bellamy.
